Implementing the Health Care Law

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The Supreme Court's decision to largely uphold the health care law protects the many provisions already in effect and clears the way for full implementation over the next several years. The only provision found unconstitutional was the federal government's ability to rescind existing Medicaid funding for states that fail to participate in the law's Medicaid expansion. The most controversial provision, an individual mandate for individuals to hold insurance or pay a penalty, was upheld as within the federal government's tax power.

While some provisions of the overhaul have taken effect since the law was enacted in 2010, the central elements of the law will not take effect until the start 2014, when states are required to have health insurance exchanges, individuals are required to obtain coverage or pay a penalty, the government begins subsidizing individual coverage and Medicaid is broadly expanded. Still other provisions, such as the tax on high-cost health plans, take effect even later.

Republicans in Congress have scheduled a vote to repeal the entire law, a move that will be blocked by Senate Democrats.